Built to last

In an era where every aspect of our lives can be intrinsically stylish in every way, it was only a matter of time before someone took the humble pet food and water bowls and turned them into something fabulous.

Built to last

BY Emma Guthrie, August 28, 2012

In an era where every aspect of our lives can be intrinsically stylish in every way, it was only a matter of time before someone took the humble pet food and water bowls and turned them into something fabulous. A fine example of this new homewares trend comes from American designer Luke Wong, whose clean lines and slick creations are proving a hit amongst the style-conscious set.

Wong wasn’t always a pet furniture designer. Born and raised in Greenwood, Indiana; the founder and creative force of stylish dog and cat homewares label Doca Pet (the name is an amalgamation of DOg and CAt) originally studied interior architecture. After completing a BFA at the Art Institute of Chicago, and inspired by his pet Weimaraner Madyson, Wong turned his skills to pet products, and the results are just gorgeous.

Wong says “A lot of the products come from working with fabricators on other projects/pieces and just knowing the capabilities and kind of getting some ideas from design trends that are out there.” These include the Smorgasbord, a cubic stand with a unique raised wood grain texture and the Dogleg Diner, a retro look in powder coated steel that can suit a small or large pet animal friend.

All the pieces are modern and quite architectural — a nod to his background. Wong admits he is not much of a talker, so he expresses himself through design, his “outlet”. Every Doca Pet product is unique and different, but they all have the same modern aesthetic, produced using contemporary materials. The Smorgasbord for example is made using a resin/fiberglass fabricator, ensuring the product is consistent yet functional. Inspired by all manners of people including Donald Judd; at the end of the day Wong created Doca Pet to mix his love of design and commerce whilst producing work that people love.

“I like to design and I like business — Doca Pet allows me to marry the two. Being able to design products that people enjoy is awesome. I get a kick out of being able to see a company grow from an idea and to keep growing.”

With his beloved yet slightly nutty Madyson by his side, Wong is just going from strength to strength and is sure to be making his mark in homes across the globe.

Leave a Comment

ISSUE NINE — PRE-ORDER NOW

by Four&Sons

In our Spring issue, there’s much to be in high spirits about. We go behind the scenes of Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, a movie fuelled by dopamine, alpha dogs, and a vast crew of artisans and animators. We hang with a pack of trippy-looking poodles created by artist Susumu Kamijo. We find five mutts who changed history by injecting their human counterparts with a good dose of serotonin. There is plenty of oxytocin going around, too. We celebrate Sulek’s photography of rescued Spanish galgos, Jo Longshurst’s abstract twist on pet portraiture, and Ho Hai Tran’s love of stripes and spots. We travel to Berlin, Toronto, London, and upstate New York to meet creative types whose bonds with their four-legged mates are as heartfelt as they are intoxicating. We ask five foodies to fess up about dog snacks and guilty pleasures that feed body and soul, and we embrace illustrator Apolline Muet’s bear hugs between humans and animals.
All this, and more, inside the covers.

Best of breeds

DODGY DOGS

Everyone knows dogs love cards, as established in Coolidge’s famous series of paintings: “Dogs Playing Poker”. Thanks to Jean Jullien and Yolky Games, dogs now have their very own deck tailored to their traits. Dodgy Dogs is an illustrated card game of our favourite hounds getting up to mischief such as piddling on the floor and stealing sausages. Featuring an abundance of breeds in all shapes and sizes, the deck celebrates a dog’s best and worst habits in Jullien’s humorous and relatable style. A long-time friend of dodgy dogs, his previous works include pooch-related books, t-shirts and even a live-drawing event. Woof!

THE FURRY THINGS

Although felines are usually the focus of Kamwei Fong’s drawings, a few furry mutts and pedigree pooches have started to steal the show. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Fong creates highly textured illustrations using a simple black-ink pen. Multiple layers of mini strokes create critters with a tactile and irresistible fluffiness. Their softness and benevolence convey the crux of Fong’s ideals: “Be happy. Be childlike. Be ridiculous.” His commissions include poodles, Pomeranians and, most recently, a dapper Scottie dog strutting its stuff with undeniable zeal.

TEN HUT

The Legowisko Hut from Hello Pets seems more like a cosy tent. Its light-wood struts and felt strips muffle the sounds of the outside world and create a calm atmosphere— with a plush cushion for extra comfort. The open ends allow inhabitants to sprawl or curl up, keep an eye out or get some shut-eye. Hello Pets is based in Poland, where they create innovative dog beds and feed stands using natural materials in pared-back colours to complement your natural style.

WALK THE TALK

Illustrator, animator and director Greg Gunn has taken time out of his busy lifestyle to flop onto the couch and work on a series of illustrations entitled “Year of the Dog Walker”. Using Procreate on his trusty iPad, he makes portraits of fashionable folk and their cool companions in striking block colours. These eight characters are inspired by everyday streetwear and fashion photography, while their dogs—including, but not restricted to, an indignant Doberman, a pair of chipper chihuahuas, and a cute mutt—flaunt their own colour palette and style.

DOG&Co HITS THE WEST COAST

On the cusp between the neighbourhoods of Russian Hill and Polk Gulch in San Francisco resides Batch, a curated homewares store in a refurbished firehouse that changes its decoration each season. This summer it hosts Dog&Co, a brand with a bespoke range of dog-related goods. Browse coats and jumpers, harnesses and leashes, carrycases and beds, and even boots for delicate or sore paws. From Velvet Hippo to WagWear, sniff out a new find from their collection of reputable and beloved brands, as well as a few newcomers.
Photography by @rbradleyphoto

OLD MUTTS

Our devotion to our dogs never falters, especially when they are old and grey. At these times, our homes become an accumulation of precious years spent together, housing worn-out couches, pillows with dog-shaped grooves and blankets chewed to tatters. Grey hairs twang from eyebrows, beards grow rougher, and flecks of white dapple coats. Maria Spann’s humble shots of old dogs sprawled on sofas and curled in beds may not be “show-home” beautiful, but they are an honest reflection of the intimate spaces we share with our beloved pets.

HERE COMES THE HOWELLMAN

Street Dog, a wire-haired terrier, lives in Los Angeles with his human: prolific illustrator, cartoonist, and artist Jay Howell, whose quirky style has tickled our funny bones for nearly a decade. From 21 July 21 to 18 August, his latest collection of surreal drawings and silly (yet sometimes surprisingly sentimental) mixed-media works are on show at LA gallery Subliminal Projects. Alongside these is a limited-edition print release, plus a brand new zine. Howell has a self-confessed deep devotion to the dog, so expect to spot a few chubby and goofy hounds within the pieces boasting mischievous grins and lolling tongues.

LOVE FOR LURVIG

The world’s most popular blue box of affordable interiors, IKEA, has released a new collection tailored for dogs and cats. Under the name Lurvig, you will find bowls, beds, and blankets in tasteful shades of black, green, and white. Understated and adaptable, the IKEA design team worked alongside vets to create pieces for pets that slide seamlessly into a minimalist décor. Our favourite is the small sofa-shaped bed, where your four-legged friend can stretch out their paws after a long day, just like you.

BOW-WOW MEETS BOHO

Beachy chic pieces made from natural materials are now strolling the shorelines thanks to Sebastian Says. The latest collection, ‘A New Bohemian’, is made up of 100 percent cotton-macramé collars, leads in earthy hues and warm merino-wool sweaters.

Founded by Suz Strampic in Elwood, Australia, and inspired by the Aussie beaches, the Sebastian Says fringed-wool jumpers and vegetable-tanned leather collars are made for blustery beach days. The label’s tanning process uses vegetable dyes on Italian leather, leaving products naturally distressed (a smart contrast to the brass detailing). They also incorporate Pinatex—a vegan-friendly leather alternative made from fibres extracted from pineapple leaves—into collars and coats, which have the soft feel of real worn leather, and remain both environmentally friendly and sustainable. For a seamless finish to all outfits, get your dog’s name monogrammed on a collar of your choice. Looks like it’s time to drop the dog tag.